Softball sweeps Georgia State in home series

After getting swept in a series to begin Sun Belt Conference play, the Troy softball team bounced back with a home sweep of its own against Georgia State. The Trojans won 3-1, 4-1 and 2-1 behind strong performances from Abby Lovell. 

“It was a good day today and a good bounce back from a tough weekend,” said head coach Eric Newell. “I told some people it was not fun eating humble pie.” 

In game one, Abby Lovell squared off against Panthers ace Makayla Stephens for a Friday night showdown, which the Trojans won 3-1. Lydia Kirby crushed a go-ahead home run in the fifth inning to break a 1-1 tie. 

Georgia State started off in the first with a few singles, but when it came to the Trojans turn at bat, Makaley Boswell smacked a single to left field to bring home Megan Loftis. Lovell kept striking out the Panthers, finishing with 12 punchouts. As a pinch hitter Kirby knocked a homer out of the park to take the lead for the Trojans.  

Boswell hit yet another zinger, bringing in a triple and scoring McKinnon Howard for yet another run. Lovell wiped the floor with the Panthers to finish the game out. 

In game two against Georgia State, the team looked to continue their momentum from game one. Ella Cunningham, the star two-way player, made the start in the circle for the Trojans and turned in a complete game. Presley Ivey started off the offensive push with a single and Dailynn Motes got on base soon after.  

Kalee Rochinski hit a sac fly and Howard hit an RBI single to make the score 2-0 for the Trojans. Cunningham went right back to work and brought it right back to the offense. Boswell launched a solo homer in the third, and the Trojans tacked on an RBI double from Motes to widen the lead to 4-0. 

Both teams were quiet until Georgia State scored one in the fifth to make it 4-1. Georgia State capitalized off two Troy errors to score another run, but Ivey stopped a bases-loaded situation to keep the Trojans ahead. The offenses sputtered and Cunningham finished the game to make it 4-2 for the Trojans. 

Game three, first conference sweep at stake. How did Troy react? The Trojans fought another close game but prevailed 2-1. Lovell held Georgia State to just one run amidst a close defensive dog fight.  

Lovell and Stephens battled, holding both teams scoreless through five innings. Ultimately, Lovell took a perfect game into the sixth inning. The Trojan offense took the lead in the fifth inning as Boswell and Cunningham were both hit by pitches. 

Cunningham stole second and diverted attention, allowing Boswell to make it back to home plate. Georgia State prevented the perfect game from Abby Lovell by hitting two singles.

Georgia State would score in the seventh, but the Trojans wanted the game more. Kiley Huffman walked it off for the Trojans with a double down the right field line to win it 2-1. 

“It was a great win today, and a great series sweep against a very, very tough Georgia State team that’s going to pick off several teams this year,” Newell said. 

Following a midweek contest against Kennesaw State, the Trojans play Southern Miss at home to continue Sun Belt play. All games will be streamed on ESPN+.